Marine alert for tsunami remains in NZ

A TSUNAMI marine alert remains in New Zealand following a magnitude 8.0 earthquake in the Solomon Islands, though it is now confined to the west coasts from Taranaki to Milford Sound.

Civil Defence issued an upgraded tsunami threat at 5.20pm on Wednesday, warning people to stay off the beach and off coastal waters due to the possible marine threat of a tsunami of between 0.2m and 0.9m.

The warning initially applied to the entire west coast of both the North and South islands, as well as the eastern coast stretching from Northland to Gisborne and the southern coast of the South Island and around to Dunedin.

But after further scientific analysis, Civil Defence says the tsunami heights are likely to be at their highest from Taranaki to Milford Sound.

People in these areas are advised to stay out of the water, stay off beaches and shore areas, not to go sightseeing, to share information with family and friends, listen to radio and television for updates and follow Civil Defence instructions.

"If there's boating activities, people who are swimming, and particularly people in estuaries and restricted harbours, they could experience stronger currents and tidal activity which could be a danger to them," Civil Defence director John Hamilton said.

Civil Defence says historical experience and modelling experience suggest that the largest waves will be about two to eight hours after the first waves arrive.

The alert extends into the early hours of Thursday.

New Zealand's alert remains despite the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii cancelling Tsunami warnings and alerts for much of the Pacific Islands before 6pm.

Media reports suggest five people have died in the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands, and major damage has been caused to three villages on Santa Cruz island.